To those who dislike #Occupy, or consider disliking it due to anything you may call impolite

[girl_interrupted]

62. I have never seen any politician endure what the protesters of OWS have

Yet I have seen OWS protesters willing to be beaten by police, pepper sprayed, gassed, shot at with rubber bullets, hit with tear gas canisters, jailed, suffer serious physical injury, not to mention verbal abuse. And come back for more. To give up the comfort of home, to sleep on the ground, exposing themselves to the elements. For those who are not unemployed, who go to school or go to work, or who have other responsibilties and who still show up and offer their support. For those who take up residence in the parks and in the tents, to share what they have with each other and the homeless. And for what? Not for the perks of public office, but for what they truly believe in, fundamental fairness in a corrupt system. To finally give the 99% a voice.

I've never seen any politician do that. Politicians listen, especially when election time rolls around. Then they promise all sorts of things. They want to hear that you have their backs. That YOU will FIGHT for THEM. Then they get into office and the fight stops.

Then it's time for them to do what's politically expedient for their careers, not what's always good for the people who voted for them. No sacrifice necessary.


I like that OWS has no "leaders", that they consider everyone to be a leader, that what everyone has to say, counts.

I like that OWS is not committed to either party. Because as far as the 99% is concerned, they feel both parties need a wake up call.

Yes they make noise and yes they cause inconvenience sometimes. But democracy is messy.

Too often I think we let politicians off the hook. We are afraid to complain. We accept things we shouldn't. We stay silent. I don't think that does them or ourselves any good. If we expect or settle for less than we what we elected them for, they will do just that....give Us less. Maybe they think we don't care, maybe they don't care. I don't know.

But the days of being silent are over. People are burned out, it's getting harder to survive. We hear so much about the 99% making sacrifices. Yet what do the 1% and the politicians sacrifice? I'd really like to know.

So, I'm thankful for OWS. Thankful to meet and be with people who feel the same as I do. Thankful they don't owe their souls to the higher ups. That they are willing to suffer so many indignities, to try and make things better for so many of us.

I think its very easy for some people to sit in the comfort of their homes, behind their computer screens and criticize. What you want them to do. That they should do this, but not that. Well you aren't there having to deal with the real stuff. You can open your fridge, eat what you want, post what you want, sleep in your bed, all in the comfort and safety of your home. No police kicking your a** for what you believe in. You don't have to give up a thing. But you know what? Even that doesn't matter. Because there are people who are willing to take the risks to bring about change. So fire away, it will deter no one.

It's a new movement, and like all new movements it will go through growing pains. But I'm not as interested as it becoming part of the god awful political process we have now, the obscene amounts of money needed to get into office and the monied interests you have to be beholden to. No, I'm more interested in seeing regular people having the opportunity to speak up. Freely, not ignored, make some noise, and have the those in power know they aren't kidding anyone anymore. Maybe when it's in their faces, they will listen, maybe some real change will come about. It has to start somewhere. We have legitimate concerns, they need to be addressed, and we aren't going away.

Spring is just around the corner.